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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






2. A symbol indicating to play loud.






3. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






4. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






5. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






6. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






7. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






8. A symbol indicating to play loud.






9. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






10. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






11. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






12. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






13. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






14. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






15. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






16. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






17. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






18. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






19. To shift to another key.






20. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






21. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






22. Sliding between two notes.






23. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






24. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






25. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






26. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






27. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






28. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






29. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






30. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






31. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






32. The movement of chords in succession.






33. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






34. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






35. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






36. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






37. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






38. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






39. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






40. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






41. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






42. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






43. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






44. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






45. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






46. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






47. The distance in pitch between two notes.






48. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






49. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






50. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.